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Milwaukee Art Museum receives largest bequest in its history

The Milwaukee Art Museum announced Thursday that it has received the largest bequest in its history. The museum received $7.6 million from the estate of a Milwaukee business owner and his wife, Leonard and Bebe LeVine. »Read Full Blog Post

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I'd like to know how much estate taxes are being paid. So is this donation going to be subject to the estate tax? Warren Buffet complained he and his billionaire/millionaire friends dont pay enough taxes. The people who attend the cocktail party to celebrate this donation want the rich to pay more.

I am simply pointing out that because these people were generous and donated, the federal government was not able to tax these funds and use that money for food programs, unemployment, health care for the needy, etc. Is that true or not?

A business man dies and generously gives to our community and what do the liberals ask? Poor Mr. Levine leaves us and the liberals are already picking his pocket and ripping is jaws open on search for gold fillings. Liberals this man gave more to this community and paid more in income taxes then most of you in your life times. His only crime was being in business and wanting to earn a buck.

I am sure Mr and Mrs LeVine worked their tails off in their business and from what it sounds like, their nation. Seems like they should be able to leave their money how they wish and have paid their dues far more than their taxes would. Let some of these people on the public dole attempt to work even half as hard. Thank you Mr and Mrs Levine for leaving a wonderful legacy for the arts.

A business man dies and generously gives to our community and what do the liberals ask? Poor Mr. Levine leaves us and the liberals are already picking his pocket and ripping is jaws open on search for gold fillings. Liberals this man gave more to this community and paid more in income taxes then most of you in your life times. His only crime was being in business and wanting to earn a buck."

Sheesh. Dont you get it? Do you think the majority of the people at the art museum voted for Walker??? They want higher taxes and more tax revenue. So I will ask again, did the federal government get less money for food programs, unemployment and federal housing assistance because this donation was not subject to estate taxes? What about Warren Buffets multi billions that have never been subject to taxes and never will???????

Harley Ultra - I don't think you get it - this is the land of the free - and the home of the brave. Which these people obviously were. People can do as they wish as long as it is legal. That being said - people really should work to their full potential so they can pay THEIR OWN WAY. Of course there are always exceptions. The sick, disabled and the elderly. That's where tax dollars should go - not for the majority of people that take advantage of our great welfare state and that includes all the public employees that are now crying in their soup that they have to pay for their own pensions. The wealthy like the LeVine's have done their part and then some. I would be interested to see the list of charities that benefited from them over the many years. I am sure it is extensive. People need to learn to help themselves. Again, I thank these generous people for leaving an overwhelming donation so that everyone can enjoy the wonderful arts our city has to offer. By the way, the art museum is open to the public for FREE the first Thursday of every month.

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